Are you really taking care of your Heart Health? Myths Busted: What You Really Need to Know
As World Heart Day is around the corner on September 29, it is the perfect time to take a closer look at heart health. Your heart wants to talk to you and say something. Gone are those days when heart health was the talk of only old people. Now every age is affected. So, what has really changed? Let’s discuss, and dispel some of the myths that often confuse people.
According to WHO, Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death. Especially after the Covid pandemic, we have heard about the timeless death of people with Cardiac arrest or Heart Attack. Thus, it is high time to start a conversation about our heart health.
Though, heart attack is quite common these days, but, with proper knowledge, we can protect ourselves. Unfortunately, there are countless myths floating around about heart disease that can be misleading and dangerous. It’s time to discuss!
Some common Heart Diseases:
Heart attack, Cardiac arrest, and many heart diseases are not the same. Have a look at some common heart problems people encounter:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
- Arrhythmias
- Heart Failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Valvular Heart Disease
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Hypertensive Heart Disease
We will discuss all these heart diseases in our upcoming blogs. Let’s find and talk about all the myths roaming around.
Myths About Heart Health: Things you must know
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions about heart health and get to the facts so you can better care of your heart.
Myth 1: Heart Disease Only Affects Older People
Almost two decades ago, all of us believed this myth. Isn’t it? Now it has completely changed. Still, many of us think heart disease is something only older people need to worry about, but this isn’t true. Heart problems can start much earlier than you think- even in your 20s and 30s. Many reasons contribute to heart disease. Poor diet, lack of exercise, high stress, alcohol, and smoking can all cause heart damage over time.
Sadly, but true with today’s lifestyle trends, more and more young adults are developing conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease if left unchecked.
What You Can Do: It’s never too early to start looking after your heart. Prioritize your health. With simple changes, like moving more and eating healthier, can have a long-lasting impact. And don’t forget to get regular check-ups; early detection can make all the difference.
Myth 2: If I’m Fit, I Don’t Need to Worry About Heart Disease
Sure, you can celebrate your fitness. And yes, you are a step ahead of unfit people. But, you can be the target. Though being fit is fantastic for your heart, it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. You can be active and still have underlying issues, like high blood pressure or cholesterol. Even athletes aren’t immune to heart disease, especially if it runs in their family. So, if heart diseases run in your heredity, you can be the next one!
What You Can Do: keep your fitness level in check and follow your routine, but also keep an eye on the other numbers that matter—like cholesterol and blood pressure. It’s easy to assume everything’s fine if you feel good, but heart disease often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s too late.
Myth 3: Heart Disease Only Affects Men
This is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. Even after COVID-19, data around shows more men are dying due to cardiac arrest and other heart issues. Unfortunately, it’s actually the number one killer of women as well. In fact, heart disease can manifest differently in women, which is why it sometimes goes unnoticed. While men may experience classic heart attack symptoms like chest pain, women are more likely to have subtle signs like nausea, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
What You Can Do: Pay attention to your heart health. Get regular screenings, and talk to your doctor about any unlikely symptoms occurring.
Myth 4: I’d Know If I Had High Blood Pressure
Regular check-ups for blood pressure are vital now. You can easily check with the home instrument as well. There is no need to go to the hospital for BP screening every time. The essence is just to get your checkup done! High blood pressure doesn’t usually come with warning signs, which is why it’s called the “silent killer.” A stressful lifestyle, overburdened work culture, junk food, alcohol consumption in excess, and poor relationships often contribute to blood pressure.
What You Can Do: Firstly, understand that You won’t know your blood pressure is too high unless you get it checked regularly. Monitoring it is easy, and many pharmacies even offer free checks. It’s such a simple step, but it could save your life.
Myth 5: High Cholesterol Isn’t a Problem Until I’m Older
High Cholesterol in your reports! It’s a sneaky one. It can begin causing damage to your arteries early in life. A lot of people assume that only older adults need to worry about cholesterol, but it can start building up when you’re young, especially if you have poor eating habits or a family history of heart disease.
What You Can Do: Try to eat a balanced meal. Do avoid fried or junk food. Get a cholesterol test, no matter how old you are. If your levels are high, talk to your doctor. Follow the advised diet, exercise, or medication if needed.
Myth 6: No Symptoms Means No Heart Problems
You must have heard that a healthy person died due to a sudden heart attack with no previous signs of the disease. Remember! Heart disease is often silent, and many people won’t experience symptoms until the disease is already advanced. The scary thing is, that you could feel fine and still have significant plaque buildup in your arteries. By the time symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath occur, it could mean your heart’s already under strain.
What You Can Do: If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease, regular screenings are critical.
Myth 7: Occasional Smoking Isn’t That Bad!
Some people think that if they’re not a heavy smoker, it won’t affect their heart. However, even light or occasional smoking increases your risk of heart disease. Smoking damages your blood vessels and accelerates plaque build-up in your arteries.
What You Can Do: Quitting smoking, whether you’re a social smoker or a pack-a-day person, is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Remember! It’s never too late to quit, and your heart will start healing soon after.
Myth 8: I Can’t Prevent Heart Disease if It Runs in My Family
Many people think so! If heart disease runs in your family, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to have it too. Indeed, your genetics can increase your risk, lifestyle choices play a huge role in determining whether or not you develop heart disease. By making smart decisions like eating healthy, staying active, and managing stress, you can reduce your risk significantly.
What You Can Do: Focus on what you can control. Eating better, exercising regularly, and keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in check can greatly lower your risk—even if heart disease runs in your family.
Take Control of Your Heart Health
World Heart Day is the perfect reminder that heart disease is preventable, but only if we’re informed and proactive. It’s never too late to make choices to protect your heart, no matter your age
Don’t forget that heart health isn’t something to take for granted. The choices you make today whether it’s moving more, eating healthy, or getting regular monitoring can help protect you from heart disease down the road. So, this World Heart Day, let’s commit to taking care of our hearts and spreading the word about what matters when it comes to heart health or family history.
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